EU and Schengen visa photo requirements 2026

Schengen visa photo requirements

All 27 Schengen Area countries use the same photo specification for short-stay visa applications (the uniform Schengen visa). The requirements are set by the EU Visa Code and follow the ICAO standard:

• Size: 35mm wide × 45mm tall
• Background: plain white or very light grey, no shadows
• Expression: neutral, mouth closed, eyes open and looking directly at the camera
• Head position: straight, facing the camera, not tilted
• Head size: between 70% and 80% of the total photo height (crown to chin)
• Glasses: not permitted (same as UK and US)
• Taken within the last 6 months
• Printed at minimum 600 DPI or 450×600 pixels for digital submissions
• No headwear except for religious reasons (full face must be visible)

EU national passport photo requirements

Individual EU member states may have slightly different specifications for their national passport photos, but all are based on the ICAO standard. The most common variations are in background shade (pure white vs. light grey) and minimum resolution.

• Germany (Reisepass): 35×45mm, white or very light grey background, biometric frontal shot
• France (passeport): 35×45mm, plain light background, biometric
• Spain (pasaporte): 32×26mm (face portion of a larger 35×45 biometric), some consulates accept 35×45mm
• Italy (passaporto): 35×45mm, white background, biometric
• Netherlands (paspoort): 35×45mm, white background, biometric
• Poland (paszport): 35×45mm, light grey background, biometric
• Smart Passport Photo's EU setting produces a 35×45mm photo at 600 DPI — accepted by all Schengen embassies and EU consulates

Digital vs printed photos for Schengen visa

Most Schengen visa applications made through embassy websites or VFS Global now accept digital photo uploads. The file must be a JPEG under 3–5MB (check the specific embassy portal). Printed photos (35×45mm) are still required for in-person appointments at many embassies.

Smart Passport Photo provides both: a high-resolution JPEG download for digital submission, and a printable 4-up print sheet for in-person appointments.

Common reasons Schengen visa photos are rejected

• Head too small or too large (must be 70–80% of frame height)
• Glasses worn (not permitted since 2015)
• Shadow on the face or background
• Photo older than 6 months
• Head not facing directly at the camera
• Low resolution or blurred image
• Wrong background colour — coloured walls, patterned backgrounds
• Expression not neutral (smiling, eyes not fully open)